Chicken with Asparagus Spears Wrapped in Bacon

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4.
2. Place the asparagus in a large pot of boiling salted water and cook for 2 minutes, remove immediately from the water, then place in a hot pan with 1 tbsp of olive oil to crisp.
3. Remove the asparagus from the pan and set aside to cool.
4. In the same pan, add the shallots and cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened, season with salt and pepper and place in a bowl to cool.
5. In the bowl with the shallots, add the cream cheese, balsamic vinegar and parmesan, then season well with salt and pepper.
6. Place the chicken breast on a clean work surface. With a long sharp knife, cut along the long side of the chicken in a butterfly style.
7. Slice through the breast until almost at the edge, being careful not to cut all the way through.
8. Open the fillet and flatten, then place the asparagus and cream cheese filling in the centre.
9. Repeat with the remaining breasts.
10. Fold back the fillets, encasing the asparagus and cream cheese.
11. Lay the streaky bacon lengthways on a flat sheet of paper then lay a chicken fillet across the bacon.
12. Wrap in the bacon and secure with a toothpick.
13. Drizzle a little oil on a pan over a moderate heat and add the bacon wrapped fillets.
14. Cook on both sides until well browned approximate 3 minutes each side.
15. Roast in a preheated oven until the chicken is cooked through, about 12-15 minutes.
16. Remove the chicken from the oven, and set aside on a warm plate and cover with aluminium foil.
17. Place the pan back onto the heat, add the white wine and chicken stock and thyme.
18. Bring to the boil and simmer for 3–5 minutes until thickened.
19. Slice the chicken diagonally in half and serve with a spoonful of the pan juices.

Check Coeliac Society of Ireland Food List for gluten free brands.